Recently the UFC announced Derrick Lewis and Travis Browne will throw down at UFC 208, and the latter has explained with the fight is “personal”.

Lewis continues to climb the heavyweight ranks, thanks to a five fight winning streak, and the powerful fighter has reportedly expressed an interest in fighting Browne during this run. Well, following Lewis’s stoppage win over Shamil Abdurakhimov earlier this month, the UFC has tapped him for a fight with Browne on February 11th.

Recently Browne spoke with ESPN.com, and while discussing the upcoming bout, “Hapa” said this:

“He’s looking up and down the top 10 for the easiest fight and choosing my name,” Browne said. “I don’t know how much more personal it gets than that.

“I’m not usually one to talk trash, and I do respect him as a fighter, but you want to test yourself, buddy? I’m your man. I’ll show you what this s— is all about up here.”

Now, does Lewis actually think Browne is the “easiest fight”, in terms of top ten ranked heavyweights? Hard to say. One thing is certain, it’s a huge fight for Browne. The 6’7 tall fighter has lost two of his last three bouts, and he’s coming off consecutive losses to Cain Velasquez and Fabricio Werdum. So if he can go out and halt the rise of Lewis, it could set Browne up for a bout with a top five ranked heavyweight next.